PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's basketball team remained perfect in Empire 8 play on Saturday as the Cardinals defeated the visiting Alfred University Saxons, 79-63, inside Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium on Bobby Wanzer Court. With the win, Fisher improved to 6-1 on the year and 6-0 in the conference standings while the Saxons slipped to 3-2 overall and against conference opposition.
Both teams found an early rhythm with the Saxons holding a slim lead, 6-5, with over two minutes gone by. Trailing by a possession, Fisher quickly took control and knocked down five of its next eight shots as part of a 13-2 run that made it 18-8 in the home team's favor.
Alfred would cut the gap to five points as the half wore on, but the Cardinals continued to pound the paint and extended their lead to double figures following a 9-2 burst to open up a 27-15 edge.
With time winding down in the period, the lead would grow to as many as 14 points after
Daniel Cook grabbed an offensive rebounds and kissed it off the glass to make it 32-18, but the Saxons scored nine of the half's final 13 points to head into the locker room trailing, 36-27.
Fisher carried over its hot shooting in the second half and strung together 10 unanswered points to open up a 23-point cushion with 11:15 left in the game.
Ahead, 58-35, Fisher saw its lead dip to 17, but the Saxons were never able to generate any momentum on either end of the floor as Fisher closed out the day in first place.
Just days after scoring a career-high 36 points, Cook was the high man for Fisher with 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds while
Brendan Trapper added 13 points and five rebounds of his own.
Sean Williams contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and a game-high six assists in the win while
Nick Klein dropped 11 points off the bench.
The Cardinals will continue their brief home stand at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when they take on the Houghton College Highlanders in an Empire 8 contest inside Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium on Bobby Wanzer Court.
